The whole country is aware of the calamity that befell
the Matale District due to natural disasters consequent to heavy rains. The
destruction of properties of the residents due to several landslides and sinking
of the floor of the earth due to the brittle nature of the limestone plate
exerted heavy pressure on the residents. Relevant families in identified risky
areas have already been evacuated by the National Building Research
Organization which is a state authority on geology. Although it is possible to
understand the necessity of evacuating those living under risky conditions,
they should be provided with permanent land to put up dwellings without
allowing them to be displaced internally.
The research work carried out in the affected areas
viz Dikkumbura, Maussagolla, and Nikala Oya in an around Rattota showed that in
most of the residences walls had cracked from several places and on the verge
of collapse. According to the residents this destruction increases daily. There
are several areas where houses have completing submerged.
Several houses had been constructed on suitable areas.
It is clear that the preparation of
building sites for construction purposes had contributed to this situation.
Since that activity could be controlled it is advisable to keep the residents
aware of such dangers.
In the Nikalaoya area where landslides been prominent where
a thorough study had been carried out. Fifteen houses built on an upper elevation
in the Nikalaoya plantation had with the landslides glided down killing eight
residents amongst whom six had been of the same family.
Both plantation and village communities had severely
been pressurized by these landslides. Most of the waterways had been blocked by
the trees that had slipped down from hilltops. These landslides occurred in the
middle of December 2012. Even by February 2013, people refrained from utilizing
the waters of waterways as parts of dead bodies had been found buried in these riverbeds.
These landslides caused irreparable damage to
residences, cultivations and roads. Roads were badly damaged and it involves
heavy expenditure for repairs. Studies revealed that the roads had been
constructed without adhering to the specified standards.
Those affected and lost their dwellings had been provided
with dry rations and they themselves had found temporary shelter in the dwellings
of their relatives. Taking into consideration the children’s’ education and the
income generation avenues of the affected families, they cannot remain
displaced for a long period Authorities should not waste their time for the
provision of alternate dwellings and facilities. Delay in such provision is a
grave injustice for these affected families.
Human Activities
Several villages in the Matale District had been badly
affected by the human activities, although they appear to have been caused by
nature. Most prominent amongst these activities is the quarries dug by man
either for granite or dolomite. Production of lime out of dolomite is a serious
threat to the environment.
Exposure to
water results in the weakening of the limestone which results in the sinking of
the crust which is a fact known by the residents of this area.
Various methods used to break rocks by the usage of dynamite etc. result in
the vibrations that rock the area tend to weaken the crust of the earth.
Structures put up in the vicinity of the area had not been done according to
accepted standards. Surveys carried out showed that the walls of the dwellings
have cracked from several places.
Stoppage of breaking rocks in the area would
inconvenience several families as that is the avenue of income generation for
most of the families. We should understand the reality.
Residents with whom we discussed this matter revealed
that almost all the quarries in the area were owned either by politicians or
their henchmen and that all the residents’ woes had fallen into deaf ears.
Residents revealed that the machinery used to break the rocks into small pieces
resulted in clouds of dust, unbearable sounds of the machinery and vibration
and rocking of the earth.
People level various allegations against the
politicians. All the discussions they had with the Divisional Secretary of the
area had proved fruitless. The consequence of this is that people had been
pressurized by natural disasters and these caused by human activities and some
by both.
There are several solutions to this grave issue. One
is the re-settlement of the affected families in safe areas. They should not be
deprived of their right to land as they should have the freedom to harvest the
cultivation in the lands occupied by them earlier.
There are several lands which remain barron after long
periods under tea cultivation and the government should have no difficulty in
allocating such land to the affected. There are the lands grabbed by the
British under the Waste Lands Act. If
such land is given to the affected, intervention of International
Non-Governmental Organizations is necessary for putting up dwellings and for
the provision of infrastructure facilities. In the same way, a survey should be
carried out in respect of those who had
opted to find alternate residential facilities.
It is very essential to provide some sort of relief to
those affected by land slides. Since their income has deteriorated they should
be provided with dry-rations and the children with their requirements.
The environmental damage caused by quarry work is immense.
Residents should take the initiative to raise their voices regarding the
calamity that had befallen them. This entails the printing of leaflets. Although
the victims had earlier been provided
with dry rations, this relief measure has stalled at the moment. Most of the affected
have opted to stay with their kith and kin. These are temporary measures.
Relief measurers should be taken at provincial level with the assistance of the
media. People should be given awareness regarding any adverse measures taken on
the pretext of providing relief by introducing various views regarding the
livelihoods of the community.
The requirement of those displaced is some sort of
assistance for subsistence since their livelihoods have got disrupted, this is
the time they need extend assistance. Provision of dry rations and garments for
the families, School – books and garments fro the children and assistance for
putting up houses are very essential.
Assistance could be in the form of cash or kind and
such assistance so received in this institution would be equitably distributed
amongst the deserved and reports pertaining to such distribution would be
prepared and issued. Philanthropists of institutions willing to provide
assistance could do so by contacting the
National Secratery (Padma Pushpakanthi) or H.M. Somaratne, Programme Manager
(Savisthri Movement) on -Tele No. 0112-865084 and G-mail padmasasthri@gmail.com or somehm@gmail.com
Blog : htt://savisthri.blogspot.com
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